Grad's Fashion Co-Op Competes for $50k Grant

When she earned her BFA in illustration from The Cleveland Institute of Art in 2005, Valerie Mayen dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. But to make that dream a reality she had to overcome many hurdles to access professional-grade equipment and adequate workspace.

Mayen overcame those challenges in style and soon launched her own fashion label, Yellowcake. Now, she wants to give back—so she’s launched a new project called Buzz & Growl, which will offer a professional studio environment for young designers and students who don’t yet have the funds and space to work on their ideas.

To help fund her plan, vote for Buzz & Growl in a competition to win a $50k grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project. Through this project, the public votes to award money to ideas that will have a positive impact in their communities. So cast your vote at buzzandgrowl.com to help Cleveland fashion artists “build the buzz of their talent and aspiration into the growl of true success.” Mayen has also started a fundraising drive for the project on the Buzz & Growl website.